The (Sad) Truth

The truth is - sometimes I get really sad. Downright depressed even. On the verge of tears, I start crying for some unknown reason. I've always hated this part of me. Wanted to deny it - I mean who the heck wants to work with a positive psychology consultant who gets down and depressed?

Hopefully, you do. Because the truth is, that sadness is real. At this moment, it is my true, authentic self. And denying these feelings wouldn't be healthy. Rather, allowing myself to feel them, being kind with myself for having them, and taking care of myself through them is the only healthy way to live. Denial just keeps them bottled up inside and makes me feel like there's something wrong with me.

Well there's nothing wrong with me. And there's nothing wrong with you. Sometimes, we just feel crappy. And that's okay. It's healthy actually. We're not supposed to feel positive emotions ALL the time - in fact, researchers have found that flourishing people experience one negative emotion for every three positive emotions. So we need some sadness, we need grief, we need some anger sometimes. Negative emotions narrow our thinking and alert our bodies to take action. That action may simply be to rest, to contact family, to run a hot bath or to engage in our favorite activity.

Negative emotions are only bad when we dwell on them too much. When we drown in our sorrows. When we allow them to rule us into deep depression. Rather, having a negative emotion every once in awhile is okay. When we use them as a sign and we allow ourselves to feel them, and then we take care of ourselves through them, that is when they can serve us well.

So that's the (sad) truth. I think I'll nap and allow a friend to come nurture me now :)